Need a safe way to dig around pipes, cables, or foundations without causing damage? Caldow Builders offers expert hydrovac services using high-pressure water and vacuum systems to expose underground services cleanly and precisely.
Caldow Builders provides professional hydro excavation for contractors, developers, councils, and utility providers. Our hydro trucks use pressurised water to loosen soil, then vacuum it away — revealing underground assets safely and without the risks of mechanical digging. This method is perfect for working near power, fibre, gas, or sewer lines, and is widely used for trenching, pole installation, and service locating.
With over 40 years in the building and civil industry, we know how to work efficiently on tight timeframes, varied terrain, and sensitive infrastructure. Whether you’re based in a rural paddock near Taihape or a tight commercial lane in Levin, our team has the gear and experience to get the job done right. We’re proud to support critical infrastructure and construction projects across the lower North Island — always on time, always safe.
If your project involves pipes, fibre, or power lines, even a small mistake can cause serious damage. Relying on outdated plans or guessing what’s below risks strikes, delays, and costly repairs. Our hydrovac operators use controlled pressurised water and suction to safely uncover underground assets. It’s the trusted approach for trenching, potholing, and utility location on sensitive sites.
Excavating in backyards, driveways, or narrow city lanes is a challenge for large machines. Standard equipment can’t always manoeuvre or operate safely in these environments. Hydrovac trucks use flexible hoses and compact setups to reach and dig in tight spaces. It’s a clean and efficient option where access is limited.
Certain construction sites require extra care — like landscaped areas, school grounds, or wetlands. Heavy machinery may collapse trenches or damage the area. Hydro excavation removes soil gently without disturbing surroundings. It’s a low-impact excavation method designed for fragile or waterlogged ground.
Before starting any build, it’s critical to confirm where underground utilities are actually located. Pipes can shift, be buried at different depths, or be poorly marked. Hydrovac lets you visually inspect and map their location without damage. It’s the safest first step in any construction or civil project.
Sometimes you don’t need to dig deep — just accurately. Jobs like pipe checks, retaining wall prep, or installing monitoring sensors require focused work. Hydrovac creates clean, narrow trenches or test holes without disturbing nearby surfaces. This technique gives you precision with less backfill and faster clean-up.
Old industrial sites, rural blocks, or backfilled sections can hide debris, waste, or contaminants. Digging blindly in these areas can expose health and environmental risks. Our vacuum trucks use a sealed system to control soil removal, reduce dust, and safely transport material for off-site disposal or recycling. It’s a safer, smarter solution for unpredictable terrain.
If your excavation needs involve fragile ground, buried utilities, or hard-to-reach sites, hydrovac is the solution.
Let our experienced team handle your next job with the right equipment, expert operators, and full safety compliance.
Traditional excavators can’t see what’s underground. Even with plans, there’s always a risk of hitting power cables, gas mains, or water lines—especially on older or undocumented sites. Strikes cause delays, safety incidents, and costly repairs. Hydrovac uses pressurized water and suction to uncover services without direct contact, reducing strike risks and keeping your site safe.
Mechanical digging is less precise—it often removes more soil than needed, damaging nearby structures or roots. This over-digging adds cost and clean-up time. Hydrovac delivers targeted excavation, exposing only what’s necessary. It’s ideal for service locating, trenching, and potholing where accuracy matters.
Large excavators need room to move. Tight access areas—like residential streets or behind buildings—can require extra clearance, leading to delays or extra work removing obstacles. Hydrovac hoses can reach confined areas with minimal access. There’s no need to remove fences, retaining walls, trees, or structures to get the job done.
Traditional digging leaves behind piles of spoil that need to be moved and managed, plus it creates mess and surface damage. This slows progress and increases clean-up. Hydrovac contains the spoil in the vacuum truck, keeping the site cleaner and reducing the time needed to restore the area post-dig.
Tired of delays, double handling, or juggling multiple contractors? With HIAB, you get lifting and delivery in one go—no extras, no hold-ups. At Caldow Builders, we bring the right truck, operator, and experience to keep your job running smoothly.
Hydrovac excavation relies on specialised gear. Look for providers with a strong fleet of well-maintained vehicles suited for different site types. Bigger jobs need more capacity and the right equipment for the terrain.
Downtime costs money. Whether it’s a scheduled dig or an urgent call-out, the provider needs to be responsive and able to mobilise quickly. Availability is key, especially in busy construction zones.
Hydrovac work on commercial and council sites often comes with stricter standards, documentation, and safety compliance. Providers with this experience will already know what’s required and keep things moving without issues.
A provider that also handles siteworks, civil construction, or transport and trucking can streamline your job. It cuts down on coordination issues and keeps everything running through one contact.
Caldow Builders offers trusted hydrovac services backed by experience, reliability, and the right equipment for the job. Our skilled operators are ready to support your civil construction, commercial renovation, and rural building project—safely, efficiently, and without delays.
We confirm the location, access points, and what needs to be exposed. This helps us plan around utilities, surface types, and spoil removal. If needed, we coordinate with your team or arrange service locating in advance.
Once on site, we park the truck in a safe, stable position. We set up barriers or signage if required and run pre-start checks. Our operators review all safety steps before starting the dig.
We use high-pressure water to break up the soil and vacuum it out — exposing services like pipes or cables without any damage. Spoil is collected in the truck for off-site disposal or future backfilling.
After the dig, we tidy the site and check if backfill or follow-up work is needed. We update your team on the outcome and leave the area clean, safe, and ready for the next stage. Repeat visits or urgent jobs can be booked anytime.
We’ve delivered reliable excavation and construction for over 40 years—built on consistency, honesty, and doing the job right.
As NZ Certified Builders, our qualified crew brings practical knowledge and a strong work ethic to every job. We prioritise safety and deliver workmanship you can trust.
With over 20 vehicles and purpose-built machinery, we have the tools to match the job. Our hydrovac units are well-maintained and ready to work—no hold-ups, no hiring delays, and no shortcuts.
With in-house transport, civil, and building services, we support multiple project stages—streamlining coordination and avoiding delays.
Hydroexcavation in New Zealand typically costs between $250 and $400 per hour. Pricing can vary depending on factors like site location, access conditions, and soil type. Jobs that require deeper excavation or challenging ground can affect the overall cost. At Caldow Builders, we offer competitive rates and provide tailored quotes based on your specific hydrovac needs.
Yes, hydrovac digging is one of the safest methods for working around underground assets. It uses a vacuum truck with pressurised water and suction to expose cables and pipes without causing damage—unlike mechanical digging, which can easily result in service strikes. This makes it ideal for jobs near power, gas, water, and fibre lines. At Caldow Builders, we use hydro excavation to dig safely and accurately on utility, civil construction, and commercial construction and renovation sites.
The duration of a hydrovac job depends on the scope. Potholing or service locating usually takes 30 to 90 minutes per hole, while trenching or bulk exposure can take 3 to 6 hours or more, depending on soil conditions and depth. Hard, wet, or clay-heavy ground can slow progress. At Caldow Builders, we assess the site in advance and give you a clear estimate before we start.
Hydrovac trucks can typically dig 6 to 9 metres deep, depending on soil type, access, and equipment setup. Depth may be limited in harder soils or where high precision is required. For deeper excavation needs, we can use extended hoses or multiple passes. At Caldow Builders, our hydrovac units are equipped to handle a wide range of excavation needs across commercial and civil sites.
Yes, you’ll need underground service plans before any hydrovac work starts — this includes a BeforeUDig (Dial Before You Dig) check to locate buried utilities like power, gas, and water. If you’re working near roads or public land, permits may also be required. These steps help prevent service strikes and keep the job compliant and safe. At Caldow Builders, we can take care of the planning for you, including organising the BeforeUDig request and advising on any permits needed.
Whether you’re planning a commercial build, organising civil works, upgrading a rural property or need transport support, we’re here to help. Let us know what you’re working on, and we’ll let you know how we can assist.
Caldow Builders is a family-owned construction and contracting company based in Foxton. We’ve been working across the North Island for over 40 years, handling everything from commercial construction and civil projects to rural builds, hydrovac work, and heavy transport.
